Weightlifting Neck Support Harness

ABSTRACT

A harness providing neck support for weightlifters, to reduce the risk of neck injuries, resulting from improper lifting form. The harness includes a soft foam support collar worn around the neck. Furthermore, it includes a strap, ring, loop, and fastener system to secure the harness to a weightlifter&#39;s pre-existing lifting belt. The harness provides downward tension for support, ease of removal between uses, and enables the wearer to adjust for a comfortable fit. The harness stabilizes the neck, while allowing full range of motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest. This invention is unique in that it provides neck support specifically for weightlifting, and attaches to a waist-level supportive device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT.

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A DISC OR AS A TEXTFILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM [EFS-WEB]

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[1] Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of human physical trainingequipment, and more specifically to a novel neck support harness, to beworn by a person engaging in an exercise procedure, in order tostabilize the neck to reduce risk of injury in the event of improperform or fatigue.

[2] Description of the Related Art

Weightlifters are susceptible to neck injuries, caused by movement ofthe neck during heavy lifting. Improper form and sudden fatigue duringexercise procedures such as overhead press, deadlift, clean, snatch,military, and bench press, place the lifter's neck at considerable riskfor injury. Strained muscles, pinched nerves, and irritated cervicalvertebrae are common neck injuries associated with weightlifting. Neckinjuries can take several weeks, to a few months to heal; and in extremecases may require physical therapy or surgery to repair. A neck injurymay result in significant pain, limited range of motion, and prevent theindividual from exercising for an extended period of time. In the past,weightlifters have used equipment to reduce their risk of injury.Lifting belts are used for back protection, wraps are used to protectelbows and knees, and gloves are used to protect hands. TheWeightlifting Neck Support Harness will provide similar protection for aweightlifter's neck.

A similar device is used in the sport of football to prevent neckinjuries, which involves a padded collar affixed to the player'sshoulder pads to limit neck movement during collisions. Such a devicedoes not currently exist for the sport of weightlifting. Some attemptshave been made to provide a person the ability to lift and sustain loadweight. These devices are useful for their intended purpose, but involvedirectly bearing load weight with the device, which obstructs exerciseprocedures where load assistance isn't desired. Additionally, some ofthese devices apply load to the neck and shoulder area when in use,which is counterproductive to the objective of reducing the risk of aneck injury. Other attempts have been made to provide exercise equipmentthat offers minimal neck support, but those devices either occupy theweightlifter's hands and feet to perform specific exercise procedures,or involve a thick chest-level pad that interferes with the path of thebarbell during exercise procedures such as Snatch.

Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a neck supportharness which is comfortable and may be readily worn by a person engagedin an exercise procedure, which provides neck support without applyingload to a person's neck and shoulders, while enabling the person's handsand feet to be free to perform a variety of exercise procedures.Additionally the present invention does not involve a thick chest-levelpad, thus eliminating interference with the path of the barbell duringlifting procedures such as Snatch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to stabilize a weightlifter's neck,during exercises that could cause neck injuries. The harness limitsrange of motion to reduce over-extension of the cervical vertebrae andneck related muscles. The wearer attaches an adapter to theirpreexisting lifting belt, which positions a strap loop on the belt,providing downward tension for the neck collar. The wearer places a softfoam collar around their neck and loops a mid-section connector throughan anchored lifting belt adapter. The mid-section connector is pulledupwards, thus pulling the collar downward, and around the neck. Themid-section connector is attached to itself using a hook and loopfastener.

Advantages of this invention include the ability to adjust the length ofthe harness at the neck collar, mid-section connector, and lifting beltadapter. This enables the wearer to customize the harness for their bodysize, to ensure the best fit. Additionally, the adjustable lifting beltadapter enables the harness to fit on lifting belts of varyingthicknesses and widths. Furthermore, the hook and loop fastener, on themid-section connector, enables easy removal of the neck collar betweenuses. The lifting belt adapter is non-intrusive, and may remain on thebelt when the neck collar is not in use. The harness permits full rangeof motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest, so as not to obstructproper form while lifting. The neck collar consists of soft foam toprovide comfort during use. The foam collar has a cloth covering,consisting of lightweight, breathable fabric, to ensure minimal heatretention and sweat wicking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING[S]

FIG. 1 is a front centered view of the neck support harness, shownaffixed with hook and loop fasteners to a lifting belt, worn by aweightlifter.

FIG. 2 is a left frontal elevated view of the neck support harness,shown in the absence of the wearer and lifting belt; this figuredisplays the hook and loop fasteners in a detached position.

FIG. 3 is a left frontal elevated view of the lifting belt adapter,which is used to affix the mid-section connector to the wearer's liftingbelt; this figure displays the hook and loop fastener in a detachedposition.

FIG. 4 is a left frontal elevated view of the d-ring used to affix theneck support collar straps, to the mid-section connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the preferred embodiment of theWeightlifting Neck Support Harness, as shown in FIG. 2, is comprised ofa foam support collar 1, a cloth collar cover 13, various sized straps2, 6, 8, two strap adjusters 3, a loop 7, d-ring 4, hook fasteners 11,12, and loop fasteners 5, 10. The harness consists of three majorcomponents; a neck collar 14, a mid-section connector 15, and a liftingbelt adapter 16, as shown in FIG. 1. These three components worktogether to connect neck collar 14 to the wearer's lifting belt 9, thusstabilizing the wearer's neck through downward tension.

In the preferred embodiment, the neck collar component consists of asoft foam tube 1, as shown in FIG. 2, with an exterior diameter ofapproximately 6 cm, and an interior diameter of approximately 2 cm. Thetube is approximately 60 cm in length, with a first end portion and asecond end portion. The interior portion of tube 1 is hollow, allowingfor strap 2 to be inserted through tube 1, and extend equally beyondeach end portion. Foam tube 1 is housed inside of cloth cover 13, whichhas the same dimensions as the exterior dimensions of foam tube 1. Clothcover 13 consists of lightweight athletic material that does not retainheat, and permits sweat wicking. Cloth cover 13 has a sewn hem at eachend, with an overlap of approximately 1 cm, and a sewn seam that runsthe length of the cover. An additional embodiment, of the neck collarcomponent could use a foam tube that is smaller or larger, in width andlength, than the preferred embodiment; and may not require the use of acloth cover. An alternate embodiment of the neck collar could becomprised of a flat rectangular foam pad, with or without a similarshaped cloth cover.

As shown in FIG. 4, each end portion of strap 2 is laced through acorresponding strap adjuster 3. Strap 2 would be approximately 120 cm inlength, and 2 cm in width. Strap 2 is laced under the top bar, over thecenter bar, and under the bottom bar of strap adjuster 3. The interiorwidth of strap adjuster 3 would match the width of strap 2. Each endportion of strap 2 is looped overtop of d-buckle 4, and back under thecenter bar of strap adjuster 3. Each end portion of strap 2 extendsbeyond their corresponding strap adjuster 3. The tips of the first andsecond end portions of strap 2 would each be folded backwards,overlapping by approximately 1 cm, and sewn to itself to preventfraying.

The purpose of the mid-section connector is to connect neck collar 14 tolifting belt 9, to provide downward tension for neck support. The topportion of mid-section connector 15 begins with d-ring 4, as shown inFIG. 4, which is connected to neck collar 14 through both end portionsof strap 2. The interior width of d-ring 4 would match the width ofstrap 6. Strap 6 would be approximately 42 cm in length, and 4.5 cm inwidth. The first end portion of strap 6 is laced backward through theflat section of d-ring 4, overlapping by approximately 2 cm, and sewn tothe backside of itself; thus securing d-ring 4 within strap 6. In thepreferred embodiment ring 4 is ‘D’ shaped and made of metal; additionalembodiments could use a plastic ring, as well as a ring that isdifferent in shape, such as square or circular.

Next loop-fastener 5 is attached to the front side of strap 6, as shownin FIG. 2, below d-ring 4. Loop-fastener 5 would be approximately 20 cmin length, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment the outerperimeter of loop-fastener 5 is sewn to strap 6, for permanentattachment. An additional embodiment could use an industrial adhesive toattach loop-fastener 5 to strap 6. The tip of the second end portion ofstrap 6 would be folded backwards, overlapping by approximately 2 cm,and sewn to itself to prevent fraying.

Hook-fastener 11 is attached to the front side of strap 6, as shown inFIG. 2, adjacent to the hemmed threading, at the second end portion.Hook-fastener 11 would be approximately 12 cm in length, and 4.5 cm inwidth. In the preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of hook-fastener11 is sewn to strap 6, for attachment. Additional embodiments could usean industrial adhesive to attach hook-fastener 11 to strap 6. Thisconcludes the production of mid-section connector 15.

As part of the invention process it was identified that a lifter'spreexisting lifting belt 9, was the most secure anchor to providedownward tension for neck collar 14, as shown in FIG. 1. An alternatedesign was considered, involving an anchoring strap below the lifter'schest, which wrapped around their back. It was determined that thisdesign would be more expensive to produce, and consumers would notprefer to wear an additional support belt. This decision led to thedevelopment of lifting belt adapter 16.

Lifting belt adapter 16 secures an anchoring loop 7, onto lifting belt9, for the purpose of securing neck collar 14, and mid-section connector15, to lifting belt 9. The adapter 16, as shown in FIG. 3, uses strap 8to wrap around lifting belt 9. Strap 8 would be approximately 38 cm inlength, and 4.5 cm in width. The first end portion of strap 8, iswrapped backwards around the bottom of loop 7, overlapping byapproximately 2 cm, as shown in FIG. 3, and sewn to the backside ofitself; thus securing loop 7 within strap 8. The interior width of loop7 would match the width of strap 8. In the preferred embodiment loop 7is rectangular and made of metal; additional embodiments could use aplastic loop, as well as a loop that is different in shape, such assquare or circular.

Loop-fastener 10 is attached to the front side of strap 8, below loop 7,as shown in FIG. 3. Loop-fastener 10 would be approximately 15 cm inlength, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment the outerperimeter of loop-fastener 10 is sewn to strap 8, for permanentattachment. An additional embodiment could use an industrial adhesive toattach loop-fastener 10 to strap 8. The tip of the second end portion ofstrap 8 would be folded backwards, overlapping by approximately 2 cm,and sewn to itself to prevent fraying.

Hook-fastener 12 is attached to the backside of strap 8, adjacent to thehemmed threading, at the second end portion, as shown in FIG. 3.Hook-fastener 12 would be approximately 10 cm in length, and 4.5 cm inwidth. In the preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of hook-fastener12 is sewn to strap 8, for attachment. Additional embodiments could usean industrial adhesive to attach hook-fastener 12 to strap 8. Thisconcludes the production of lifting belt adapter 16.

Once completed, lifting belt adapter 16, as shown in FIG. 3, is attachedto lifting belt 9, by placing the backside of the first end portion ofstrap 8, against the front of lifting belt 9, with loop 7 positionedabove the top of the belt. The second end portion of strap 8 is wrappedaround the bottom and back of lifting belt 9, and laced through the backof loop 7. The second end portion of strap 8 is then pulled taught toensure a tight fit, and is secured to loop-fastener 10, withhook-fastener 12. At this point lifting belt adapter 16 is secure, andwill provide resistance to mid-section connector 15, resulting indownward tension for neck collar 14.

Once all components are completed, and lifting belt adapter 16 issecured to lifting belt 9; the wearer places neck collar 14 over theirhead and around their neck, as shown in FIG. 1. Next mid-sectionconnector 15 is laced through the backside of loop 7, and the second endportion of strap 6 is pulled upwards, as shown in FIG. 2. The resistanceprovided by loop 7 pulls mid-section connector 15 and neck collar 14downwards, thus wrapping foam support collar 1 around the wearer's neck.Securing hook-fastener 11 to loop-fastener 5 sets the tension. At thispoint the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness would be ready for use, asshown in FIG. 1.

An additional embodiment of the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness wouldnot require usage of lifting belt adapter 16. In this alternateembodiment, the second end portion of strap 6 is laced behind the topof, and underneath lifting belt 9, then pulled upwards. The resistanceprovided by the bottom of lifting belt 9, pulls mid-section connector 15and neck collar 14 downwards, thus wrapping foam support collar 1 aroundthe wearer's neck. Securing hook-fastener 11 to loop-fastener 5 sets thetension. At this point the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness would beready for use. This embodiment would require strap 6 to be approximately67 cm to account for the additional distance.

In the preferred embodiment straps 2, 6, and 8 are made of nylonwebbing; additional embodiments could use polyester, propylene, orcotton webbing, as well as leather; all of these materials wouldaccomplish the same objective. The dimensions of straps 2, 6, and 8,fasteners 5, 10, 11, and 12, foam support collar 1, and cloth collarcover 13, may vary from the preferred embodiment, to provide multiplesizes for the final consumer product (small, medium, large, extra-large,etc.),

1. A support harness, for the purpose of stabilizing a person's neckduring an exercise procedure, comprising a padded neck collar, andmid-section connector that attaches to a waist-level supportive devicefor tension. 2-15. (canceled)
 16. The harness of claim 1, wherein theneck collar is configured to reduce sideways, and backwards range ofmotion of the neck by 50% or greater.
 17. The harness of claim 1,wherein the harness does not interfere with the path of a barbell duringexecution of the Snatch exercise procedure.
 18. The harness of claim 1,wherein the harness does not support load weight or impact.
 19. Theharness of claim 1, wherein use of the harness is not limited tospecific exercise procedures.
 20. The harness of claim 1, wherein use ofthe harness does not require a person's hands and feet, while performingexercise procedures.
 21. The harness of claim 1, wherein the harness isconfigured to be adjusted to ensure proper fit.